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Dental brief - June 2015

The latest NASDAL bench marking statistics show that there is a strong performance in private practice in the financial year 2013-2014. Ian Simpson of Humphrey & Co states “Income and profits are up across the board with all types of practice seeing increased profit and relative unchanging costs. Fee income is up by £7k per principal in a typical NHS practice and by £23k in a typical private practice”.

Having suffered through the recession private practices have gradually picked up momentum.

Alan Suggett of UNW confirmed from the NASDAL quarterly goodwill survey that there has been an increase in the value of the mixed and private practices whilst there has been decrease in the value of the NHS practices (except in the London area). The NASDAL quarterly goodwill survey confirmed the following:

private practices were sold on an average goodwill value of 90% of turnover

mixed practices were averaging 134%

NHS practices were at 128%.

The increased popularity of mixed practices is shown by the fact that, whilst the average valuation was 104% of turnover, the practices sold for an average of 20% over their valuation.

INTEGRATED DENTAL HOLDINGS (“IDH”) PLAN FOR A £1BN FLOAT

IDH, Europe’s largest dental chain have instructed Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs to float for £1bn in the London stock market. If successful IDH would be in the FTSE 250 index.

BHAVSHA V GENERAL DENTAL COUNCIL (“GDC”)

The High Court has quashed a determination by the Conduct Committee of the GDC, deciding that it was unjust due to serious procedural irregularities.

The Court decided that the Committee had incorrectly found that the dentist had admitted professional misconduct. The Committee also wrongly stated that there was no evidence that the dentist had undertaken audits of his record keeping despite there being unchallenged evidence that there had been audits. Further the Committee adopted the GDC’s recommendation regarding sanction notwithstanding that it had heard steps that the dentist had taken to redress the problems. The Court could not be satisfied that these mistakes were immaterial to the Committee’s determination.

GDC challenges Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) (“FGDP (UK)”)

The GDC has strongly challenged FGDP (UK)’s statement, issued on 28th April 2015, that the GDC had not learnt its lessons following last year’s consultation on the annual retention fee.

The GDC have stated they have introduced extensive new measures aimed at improving transparency and to demonstrate its commitment to fair and proportionate dealings with the dental profession.

NEW WHO GUIDELINES ON INTAKE OF FREE SUGARS

The World Health Organisation (“WHO”) issued guidelines to reduce the daily free sugar intake to less than 10% of their total energy intake for adults and children.

Glucose, fructose, sucrose and table sugar are all examples of free sugars. These sugars are found naturally in honey, syrups and fruit juices but can also be added to food and drink by manufacturers. Much of the sugars consumed are concealed within processed foods which are not necessarily perceived as sugar.

Dr Francsco Branca the Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development stated “We have solid evidence that keeping intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity and tooth decay”.

However, the new guidance does not refer to the sugars found in fresh fruits, vegetables and milk as there is no reported evidence finding an association between adverse effects and consumption of these sugars.